The Hicksville Fire District has maintained a 30-member Haz-Mat unit since 1981. The unit is available for hazardous material incidents not only in Hicksville, but throughout all of Nassau County as well. On average, 60 percent of the unit's calls are for out of district incidents since Hicksville is the only volunteer fire department on Long Island fielding a hazardous material unit. The unit is the back-up unit for the Nassau County Fire Marshals Haz-Mat unit.

Since being established in 1981, the unit has used an Earmark Communications System at Level A incidents. This system is outdated and inefficient. Lack of reliable, or interrupted communications at complex incidents endangers the public and operating members.

For the unit to operate safely and efficiently, the Hicksville Fire District has determined that a Ceotronics Haz-Mat Wireless Digital Duplex (WMD) Communications System, or its equivalent, will provide the necessary communications capability for this unit. The cost of the Ceotronics System is $45,080.80.

With the assistance of Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano's office the Hicksville Fire District is preparing a Request for Funds from WMD/All Hazards Grant request. If funding is not granted through this request, then we are asking that the Nassau County legislators provide the necessary funding. The Hicksville taxpayers alone should not have to bear the cost of this critical upgrade.

The Hicksville Board of Fire Commissioners

Charles Hearon, Chairman

Harry Single, Vice Chairman

Robert Mason, Commissioner

William McKee, Commissioner

Patrick Scanlon, Commissioner